SECOND-HALF strikes from Ashley Westwood and Clayton Donaldson ensured Crewe shrugged off a rare red card to record their sixth win of the season at Gresty Road.

Carl Martin's late dismissal, with Crewe 3-2 ahead, didn't hamper the hosts as Donaldson's solo run and finish put the icing on the cake after Westwood inched them in front for a third time.

Dario Gradi had made two changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Barnet at the weekend.

Fit-again Mat Mitchel-King returned to the heart of defence in place of Harry Worley, while Simon Walton was axed from midfield, with Byron Moore recalled.

But the four goals flying home in the space of 12 first-half minutes were sadly shared, with weak defending allowing the Mariners room to swiftly hit back.

Efforts from Moore and Joel Grant, pictured far right, were cancelled out by Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro and Dean Sinclair to send the sides in level at half-time. But Crewe enjoyed so much possession that Westwood's stunning goal 10 minutes into the second period, allied to Donaldson's injury-time effort, was the least they deserved.

With no sign yet of Calvin Zola re-emerging from his long lay-off, the Alex were relying again on Donaldson and Shaun Miller establishing a fruitful partnership.

And both frontmen wasted early chances to put Crewe in command.

Donaldson was slipped in behind Rob Atkinson on the right of the box in the seventh minute, but a heavy second touch allowed Nick Colgan to block the striker's effort.

Then after being set up by John Brayford's powerful run, Miller's flashing drive was turned around the post by Colgan.

Crewe enjoyed plenty of room to pick out their passes, but survived a scare on the break when Jamie Devitt charged clear, which forced Brayford into some desperate defending.

When James Bailey arced the ball into the box, Miller had an even better opportunity to open the scoring, but he drove tamely at Colgan.

Undeterred, the 22-year-old tested the keeper again with a rising drive, which was tipped over.

It was almost inevitable the pressure would count and Crewe duly made their breakthrough in the 29th minute, when Grant headed on Westwood's cross and Moore converted.

But slack defending allowed the Mariners to sail through and grab an equaliser three minutes later.

Former Stoke midfielder Peter Sweeney set it up with a neat give-and-go on the halfway line before releasing Akpa-Akpro.

The powerful forward drove past Danny O'Donnell and Brayford and squeezed a low shot past Steve Phillips at the far post.

Normal service appeared to have been resumed within two minutes when Grimsby were torn apart by some simple passing, with Moore teeing up Grant to fire past Colgan.

But suicidal Alex defending let Grimsby in again four minutes before the interval. Brayford's poor clearance was punished when substitute Nick Hegarty clipped over to the unmarked Sinclair, who had time to bring the ball down before scoring from eight yards.

Matt Tootle then hobbled off to be replaced by Martin at left-back.

Town looked to have tightened up at the back at the re-start. But Crewe were soon making headway with Brayford's low shot forcing Colgan into action.

And when Donaldson held the ball up on the byline, he was able to pull back for Westwood to deliver a stunning right-footed finish high into the top corner for Crewe's third.

Miller then found space deep to drive through defenders twice in the space of a couple of minutes.

But he failed to deliver a finish to match his thrilling running, blazing over at full pelt and then missing the far corner with his second effort.

Crewe were well on top again by the time Grimsby boss Neil Woods made a double change, bringing on Adam Proudlock up front and Michael Leary in midfield.

It seemed to inspire the Mariners and Lee Peacock was close to a third equaliser when he met Joe Widdowson's cross at the far post, but Phillips saved the day with a reflex save.

Peacock glanced another header at Phillips shortly after, but it proved a routine catch.

Donaldson should have wrapped up the points with 12 minutes left.

Crewe appeared to be cruising to victory before Martin was sent off for a late challenge on Leary.

Steve Schumacher replaced Grant and four minutes of added time was negotiated, with Donaldson streaking clear and cutting in past Paul Linwood to finish low past Colgan for the fourth.